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mickeymantle
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« on: February 08, 2010, 10:33:11 AM » |
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I have noticed a new technique among students--"blame the professor for not getting into another college/program." I received the following email from a former student:
"Dear Mickey: I am now applying for an X program, which is very competitive. But I can't get in because you gave a 'bad' grade."
Now, I know this is common among pre-law and pre-med students, who can be notorious grade grubbers. But this for another type of program. In addition, I wonder if the student would ever ask huself, "Why is the program so competitive?" I'm sure not, because hu might have to recognize the fact that maybe hus is not qualified to enter the program.
This reminds me of yet another student who became angry when my class grade for hu was about a C. Hu wanted to transfer to another college, but couldn't get in because hu's overall average was a C. The last thing I heard was that hu was moving in with hu's partner. Good luck!
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yellowtractor
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« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 10:37:43 AM » |
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The correct response is
"Dear Former,
I'm sorry to hear this. I'm sure you must be disappointed.
However, I did not give you a 'bad grade.' You earned the grade you received, as a result of your performance in the class.
Wishing you the very best in all your future endeavors,
Prof. Mantle."
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« Last Edit: February 08, 2010, 10:38:28 AM by yellowtractor »
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Just go and collapse in someone's office and moan, "You've got to help me; I just can't be the guy who brings the ham." |
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spyzowin
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« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 11:07:53 AM » |
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The correct response is
"Dear Former,
I'm sorry to hear this. I'm sure you must be disappointed.
However, I did not give you a 'bad grade.' You earned the grade you received, as a result of your performance in the class.
Wishing you the very best in all your future endeavors,
Prof. Mantle."
As much as we'd like to respond to those sorts of student emails, it's probably best to just ignore them. Helpful tip: "I will not discuss your grades after class, over the phone, or in an email. Please make an appointment." Put it right in the syllabus. |
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mountainguy
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« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2010, 11:15:08 AM » |
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I wouldn't even give such an e-mail the dignity of a response.
It's incredibly unfortunate that the American educational system socializes students to believe that they must avoid failure at all costs. My own take is that a number of cultural factors have created a generation of stressed-out students who have learned to focus external measures of learning instead of on the learning itself. But we can't change the world through a single e-mail, so I try to ignore such students and remind myself that they'll just have to deal with it in Life 101.
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caravaggiojr82
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« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 12:43:03 PM » |
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Yes, the student's phrasing says it all, doesn't it? "...you [Mr./Ms. Evil Teacher] gave [me] a bad grade." If the student's email to you only contained that line, and nothing else (which I'm not sure is the case, but...), then that's snotty, very bad form, and I think you're entitled to have a little fun with her/him. Sarcasm works pretty good: "You're right, Snowflake, I gave you a bad grade. I did it because I felt like it. The truth is, there is not a thing--not one thing--you could have done to prevent me from giving you that bad grade. In fact, you were perfect. I can't explain why I give bad grades to students who are academically perfect. I guess I'm just silly that way. Best of luck to you!"
Well, maybe you better not say that. A teacher can dream, though...
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"Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation."
--Principal Skinner, "The Simpsons"
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melba_frilkins
Doing laundry.
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,159
Ok, I'll tell you a little secret if I don't run o
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« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2010, 03:12:18 PM » |
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Dear Snowflake,
Thank you for sending this email. It's tough being a teacher. Teachers do a lot of work and never know if it comes to anything. So, I am gratified to know that your grade in my class actually made a difference.
~Melba
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Nothing to see here. Move along, folks.
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post_functional
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« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2010, 03:20:54 PM » |
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I wouldn't even give such an e-mail the dignity of a response.
It's incredibly unfortunate that the American educational system socializes students to believe that they must avoid failure at all costs. My own take is that a number of cultural factors have created a generation of stressed-out students who have learned to focus external measures of learning instead of on the learning itself.
You read Alfie Kohn too? |
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Action is his reward.
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caravaggiojr82
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« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2010, 03:21:28 PM » |
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Dear Snowflake,
Thank you for sending this email. It's tough being a teacher. Teachers do a lot of work and never know if it comes to anything. So, I am gratified to know that your grade in my class actually made a difference.
~Melba
Oh man that's deliciously cold-blooded! |
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"Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation."
--Principal Skinner, "The Simpsons"
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llanfair
Village idiot and Very
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 22,200
Whither Canada?
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« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2010, 03:29:47 PM » |
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Dear Snowflake,
Thank you for sending this email. It's tough being a teacher. Teachers do a lot of work and never know if it comes to anything. So, I am gratified to know that your grade in my class actually made a difference.
~Melba
Oh man that's deliciously cold-blooded! Wonderful, Melba. I am so stealing this. |
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Because, you know, that stuff on the syllabus is like, in writing, and there are so many ways you can, like, read that, but when the guys who sit by you in class, like, you know, must know what's really going on, right? -- AmLitHist, channelling student
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kaysixteen
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« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2010, 03:34:18 PM » |
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Dear Snowy:
The first day I encountered you in class I had you pegged. I knew you wanted to become an X, but, well, I didn't like you. Perhaps it was your clothes, your chronic halitosis, or just your smarmy personality. Any way, there's always one kid every semester that I come quickly to hate, and I make it my mission to ruin his life. This way, while I know you want to become an X, you will have to settle for an undesirable middling career in ground beef transposition engineering management. Have a nice life, umpchay!
BTW, that is Prof. Doctor Mantle, aka 'Sir', to you, dweebo.
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canadatourismguy
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« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2010, 03:40:25 PM » |
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Dear Snowflake,
Thank you for sending this email. It's tough being a teacher. Teachers do a lot of work and never know if it comes to anything. So, I am gratified to know that your grade in my class actually made a difference.
~Melba
HOF material! |
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On preview: Candadiantourismguy is a subversive of the first order.
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melba_frilkins
Doing laundry.
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,159
Ok, I'll tell you a little secret if I don't run o
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« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2010, 04:01:11 PM » |
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Dear Snowflake,
Thank you for sending this email. It's tough being a teacher. Teachers do a lot of work and never know if it comes to anything. So, I am gratified to know that your grade in my class actually made a difference.
~Melba
Oh man that's deliciously cold-blooded! Wonderful, Melba. I am so stealing this. Steal away. I would probably never put it to good use anyway. |
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Nothing to see here. Move along, folks.
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writingprof
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« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2010, 04:38:23 PM » |
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I have noticed a new technique among students--"blame the professor for not getting into another college/program." I received the following email from a former student:
"Dear Mickey: I am now applying for an X program, which is very competitive. But I can't get in because you gave a 'bad' grade."
Now, I know this is common among pre-law and pre-med students, who can be notorious grade grubbers. But this for another type of program. In addition, I wonder if the student would ever ask huself, "Why is the program so competitive?" I'm sure not, because hu might have to recognize the fact that maybe hus is not qualified to enter the program.
This reminds me of yet another student who became angry when my class grade for hu was about a C. Hu wanted to transfer to another college, but couldn't get in because hu's overall average was a C. The last thing I heard was that hu was moving in with hu's partner. Good luck!
Oh, if only they knew. I've had classes in which, were I "giving" grades, every student would have received an F. |
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skeptical
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« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2010, 05:47:35 PM » |
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It's worse, I think, when a student berates you because you "gave" hu an "F" for cheating!
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melba_frilkins
Doing laundry.
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,159
Ok, I'll tell you a little secret if I don't run o
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« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2010, 06:28:33 PM » |
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It's worse, I think, when a student berates you because you "gave" hu an "F" for cheating!
And double worse when you allow the cheating student pass with a C, instead of giving him an F altogether, and he complains about not getting a B. |
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Nothing to see here. Move along, folks.
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